Published: August 3, 2025
The tour itself ended without any incidents.
After finishing negotiations with Benno, Sylvester returned to the workshop and wanted to try papermaking. He even tore a few sheets while trying to paste paper onto boards, but that was within expectations. Since none of the tools were damaged and Sylvester seemed satisfied, let's consider it a good outcome.
I have a strong feeling that the high priest will scold or interrogate me later, but for now, it’s over.
However, I couldn’t help but notice the clear shadow of fatigue on Benno’s face as he came back with Sylvester after the negotiations.
After the tour, Benno came to my room, looking completely drained and slumped down. He seemed to have no energy left to even go home without resting for a while.
“Benno-san, what did Sylvester-sama say to you? If he said something really terrible, I can help by reporting it to the high priest.”
There’s not much I can do, but if it’s really bad, the high priest will surely punish him harshly. I offered my help with good intentions, but Benno silently remained sullen and suddenly started pressing his fist against my head.
“Ow, ow! What’s this all of a sudden?!”
“...It’s your fault.”
Benno said quietly with a fierce expression and raised his fist again. I shielded my head and glared at him with teary eyes.
“What did I do wrong?!”
“Can’t say. But it’s your fault.”
“Could it be that he gave you trouble because we didn’t exchange chefs?”
If Sylvester was giving Benno a hard time because of me, that was the only thing I could think of. But Benno widened his eyes slightly, sighed deeply, and shook his head.
“Not at all.”
“Then what is it?”
Benno looked at me resentfully, then ruffled his carefully kept hair and groaned, “Ahh…”
“...Never mind. There’s no doubt this is an incredible opportunity. Whether we can make the most of it, I don't know.”
“Haa, I don’t really understand what’s going on, but please do your best.”
I encouraged him despite not understanding. For some reason, Benno pinched my cheeks firmly with both hands.
“...Benno-san, shall we have lunch here?”
“No, I want to go home and clear my head.”
Benno said that, then got up with a weary gait like a tired office worker and left. I really wonder what Sylvester said to him.
That afternoon, two letters arrived in my room.
The first was an invitation from the high priest to the scolding room. The date was the afternoon of the day after tomorrow, summoned before going home. If I think about being able to rely on my family after the scolding, I might be able to endure it. I immediately wrote my consent.
The second letter was from Sylvester, thanking me for today’s tour and ordering me to take him to the forest tomorrow. He gave the order casually, but it’s not easy for me to go to the forest—both physically and because I need an escort.
“Darmel-sama, it’s impossible for me to go to the forest, right?”
When I flicked the letter with my finger and murmured, Darmel, who must accompany me as a guard, shrugged lightly with a look of exasperation.
“A shrine maiden apprentice probably can’t even walk to the forest, right?”
“I can walk. Before my baptism, I used to walk to the forest… though it took a long time.”
It seems there aren’t many patient adult men who can match my pace. Recently, I’ve often been carried, but I can walk. I’m just slow.
“Whether you can walk or not, putting that aside, considering the protection needed, it’s not recommended for a shrine maiden apprentice to go to the forest. It’d be better to have someone guide you.”
The person in question is the free-spirited Sylvester. If my father had a day off, I’d ask him, but his day off is the day after tomorrow. Tulli said he adjusted his schedule to come pick me up then. Since Tulli is coming too, I definitely have work tomorrow.
“I guess I have no choice but to ask Lutz, but that’s a big burden for him.”
Tomorrow, if it’s sunny, they plan to take the children to the forest, so I have no choice but to ask Lutz.